Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics
In the XXI. 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal was held in a football competition.
For the first time a German team, the national team of East Germany won the Olympic gold medal. In the final, Poland became the World bronze medalist in 1974, in whose ranks many World Cup players, including the World Cup top scorer Grzegorz Lato were defeated 3-1. For the first time since 1928 could reach the semi-finals with Brazil again a South American team.
The three qualified African teams did not participate because of the Olympic boycotts of African States. The amateur team of the DFB already retired on the first qualifying round against Spain. After the group stage, there was an intermediate round of the tournament in 1972, was played this time again from the quarter finals in the knockout system on. Venues were next to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, the Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Lansdowne Park in Ottawa and the Municipal Stadium in Sherbrooke.
- 6.1 Match Report
Qualification
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Quarterfinals
Semifinal
Play for bronze
Final
Scoresheet
The GDR selection was at full strength to the injured Dresdner Gerd Weber. By the early goals from Schade and Hoffmann the team quickly gained security that emanated mainly from goalkeeper Croy and Libero Dörner. Dörner organized the defense prudently, next he could support with frequent forays offensive play. The Poles, who had slept literally the first quarter of an hour found, not even later their game rhythm. In contrast, the GDR succeeded team to design on the slippery ground the game to its concept, especially after the break harmonized all parts of the team. Your midfield certain almost the entire game is happening, Lion with its large running load and the lightning-fast Riediger swirled the Polish defense at will through each other. Because of the many scoring chances, the GDR could have resulted in significant already at halftime. Instead, the Poles were able to once again find hope when their right winger Hallows Lato four minutes into the second half scoring the first goal. Subsequently Poland had its strongest phase, forced his offensive game. The East German defense saved himself first with easy absorption of the ball over time, until the entire team got the game back under control. As Häfner five minutes before closing for a solo fooled the Polish goalkeeper and scored with a low shot 3-1, the game was decided.
East German coach Georg Buschner then commented on the game: "We were superior to our Polish friends in teamwork. On the Polish tactics we could already against the USSR, which plays similar to adjust. "